Page 1386 - Sports
England team trains ahead of clash against Croatia
The England squad on Tuesday trained ahead of their World Cup semi-final against Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
WFI fears cancellation of Asian Junior Championships if Pak wrestlers denied visa
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) today said it runs the risk of losing the hosting rights of the upcoming Asian Junior Championships in New Delhi if the Pakistani contingent is denied visa. WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, also an MP, informed the media that they are yet to get clearance form the Ministry of Home Affairs to conduct the event due to ambiguity over participation of Pakistani grapplers. "We have not yet got clearance. I have asked for a meeting with the Home Minister this evening. If Pakistani contingent is denied visa, the UWW (world body) may ban us and take away the event from India. It's Pakistan's right to compete at the event ," Singh told reporters. The WFI President said they had begun the process of getting various clearances four months ago but a few 'officials' do not understand the 'seriousness' of the issue. "Usually the process begins two months from the event but we began it four months back. But a few officials do not understand that it is .
Croatia's Mandzukic says team eager to prove themselves
Mario Mandzukic has said that he and his Croatia teammates won't let fatigue get in their way when they face England in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup on Wednesday.
Uruguay had a great World Cup, came close to semis: Godin
Uruguay captain Diego Godin has said his team had "a great World Cup" despite losing in the quarterfinals to France, and thanked the fans who waited until the wee hours to welcome the squad home on its return from Russia.
Djokovic advances to Wimbledon quarterfinals
Three-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic topped Russia's Karen Khachanov 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam event for the 10th time.
Roma signs Brazilian goalkeeper Daniel Fuzato
Italy's professional football club AS Roma has announced an agreement to sign Brazilian goalkeeper Daniel Fuzato until 2022.
Nadal returns to Wimbledon quarterfinals for 1st time in 7 years
Spain tennis great Rafael Nadal defeated Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 to to book a place in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the first time since 2011 when he went on to the final.
FIFA WC: France to face Belgium for final spot
France will look to book their place in the finals of the ongoing 21st edition of FIFA World Cup when they collide with Croatia in their last-four here at St. Petersburg Stadium on Tuesday.France have experienced a dream run in the World Cup so far as they have not lost a single match during the tournament.The one-time champion finished first in Group C and subsequently defeated Argentina (4-3) and Uruguay (2-0) to set up a semi-final clash against Belgium.Belgium, on the other hand, remained dominating throughout the tournament, having beaten most of their opponents with huge goal-margin.Finishing on top of the Group H, they edged past Japan 3-2 in the round-of-16 before thrashing one of the tournament favorites Brazil 2-1 to enter the semi-final stage.Belgium, however, hold a better head-to-head record against France as they won 30 matches out of 73 clashes the two teams have played so far. While France won 24 matches, 19 matches between the two sides resulted in a draw.In the World
Anyone but England? The bitter truth about football rivalry in the UK
For football fans in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it's often a case of ABE (Anyone But England). It's tough for them to change the habit of a lifetime and get behind Gareth Southgate's team in the World Cup. In a sporting quirk, Britain sends a united team to the Olympics, but it's a different story in football and rugby, where ancient and bitter rivalries run deep. England is the dominant nation in the United Kingdom, with more resources, more players, and more success at sporting level than its smaller neighbours. And that grates. Andy Murray, the Scottish former Wimbledon champion, touched a nerve when he said he would be supporting "anyone but England" at the 2006 World Cup, prompting an angry backlash from English sports fans. Scotland's political leaders have maintained a jocular tone during England's progression to the semi-finals in Russia. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party tweeted a photo of herself holding a model of the World Cup ...
Boys from the hood: French team ignites dreams in gritty suburbs
In a housing estate in the gritty northern Paris suburb of Bondy, Adama Wagui showed off the stack of trophies he has accumulated during his budding football career. "Best goalkeeper AS Bondy 2016, best goalkeeper Vichy U17 tournament," the tall 16-year-old with the shaved zig-zag footballer haircut said, reading aloud out the inscriptions on the cups that his parents keep on their bedside table. Wagui's finest hour, however, may have been when he was called on to block shots from local wunderkind, star France striker Kylian Mbappe. "It was difficult," he says with a shy smile, "but sometimes I succeeded." As excitement builds at the prospect of Les Bleus taking home the World Cup, 20 years after their win on home soil, their success is a source of pride in the deprived estates or "banlieues" where many of France's players honed their game. Of the 23 players in the French squad, around two-thirds are of Arab or African descent, drawing comparisons with the mythologised ...
Nishikori predicts Wimbledon 'war' with Djokovic
Kei Nishikori became the first Japanese man in 23 years to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals and then predicted a "war" with Novak Djokovic to get to the last four. Nishikori, 28, overcame an arm injury to reach his first All England Club quarter-final with a 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (12/10), 6-1 win over Latvian qualifier Ernests Gulbis. But having become the first Japanese man to reach the quarter-finals since Shuzo Matsuoka in 1995, Nishikori must now overturn a 13-2 career losing record against three-time champion Djokovic on Wednesday. "He's always like a big war for me. I always enjoy playing against him. It's always big challenge," said Nishikori. The Japanese player has already lost twice to the former world number one this year -- on clay in Madrid and Rome. Although the two have never met on grass, Nishikori is still hamstrung by the knowledge that the last of his two wins against the Serb was in 2014 in a memorable semi-final victory at the US Open. "Maybe I don't have good ...
Rescuers to extract final five from Thai cave Tuesday: official
Rescuers aim to guide out the remaining five members of a football squad from inside a flooded Thai cave, the chief of the painstaking operation to free them told reporters. "We plan to bring out four boys and coach," rescue chief Narongsak Osottanakorn said, adding "a doctor, and three (Thai Navy) SEALS" who have stayed with the group since they were found more than a week ago will also leave the cave today.
Jaded Croatia look to master Modric to carry them through against England
"We keep hearing the same question and we give out the same answer", said Croatia's Ivan Perisic last week. Every time a Croatian player appears before the media at this World Cup, he knows a question about Modric is coming, and every time the answer reflects the admiration there is in the squad for their captain. The 32-year-old has been outstanding in his team's run to a semi-final against England in Moscow on Wednesday, picking up the man-of-the-match award in three of Croatia's five matches. Modric has scored twice in Russia, including a fabulous goal in the 3-0 win over Argentina in the group stage, and twice netted in nail-biting penalty shootouts against Denmark and Russia. The coolness displayed by the Real Madrid playmaker in the last-16 tie against the Danes was particularly impressive -- having missed a penalty late in extra time, he still stepped up to score another spot-kick only a few minutes later. After once again starring as Real won a fourth Champions League crown in
England thrive in World Cup 'bubble' ahead of Croatia semi-final
As excitement builds in England in the run-up to the country's first World Cup semi-final for 28 years, midfielder Dele Alli insists Gareth Southgate's team are keeping a cool head in their tournament "bubble". England's matches so far in Russia have attracted huge television audiences at home and wild celebrations, with affable coach Gareth Southgate and his vibrant young squad capturing the hearts of a nation. In sharp contrast to the feverish atmosphere, Alli and his teammates are in relaxed mood in the sleepy seaside resort of Repino, 45 kilometres (28 miles) northwest of Saint Petersburg. "You are in your own little bubble when here -- training camp, coming back, getting ready for the next game. It is not until you look at social media and the internet that you realise how big it is," Alli said on Monday. "Obviously we know we are playing in the World Cup, in the semi-final. We are so focused on the games that you forget what we have done so far. "It is important that we stay ...
Guitar man Anderson wants rhythm not blues against Federer
Kevin Anderson, the big South African who winds down from tennis by reaching for his guitar, admits he needs to be right on key from the start of his Wimbledon quarter-final against eight-time champion Roger Federer. The odds are stacked against Anderson who will be playing in his first last-eight match at the All England Club while Federer is in his 16th. He has also lost all four meetings against the 20-time major winner, failing to win a set off the great Swiss star. When asked what he admired about defending champion Federer, the 32-year-old Anderson was happy to reel off an exhaustive check-list. "His consistency, the way he plays such great tennis week in and week out," said Anderson. "Just the way he moves, the way he conducts himself on the court is very impressive. Everything looks so easy, so fluid. "The variety he brings to the court. The use of the slice backhand. The use of his attacking forehand. His defence. He's really got the complete package." Anderson added that ...
'I'm just getting started': Serena warns Wimbledon rivals
Serena Williams has warned her Wimbledon rivals she is nowhere near her best despite powering into the quarter-finals without dropping a set. Williams is chasing an eighth Wimbledon crown and the American star showed why she is the title favourite with a 6-2, 6-2 demolition of Evgeniya Rodina in the fourth round yesterday. In her 13th Wimbledon quarter-final, Serena faces Italian world number 52 Camila Giorgi on Tuesday. The path to the title appears wide open for the 36-year-old after every female top seed crashed out before the last eight for the first time in Wimbledon history. Garbine Muguruza, Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova, Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and Sloane Stephens have all been eliminated. The carnage at the top leaves 11th seed Angelique Kerber -- beaten by Serena in the 2016 Wimbledon final -- as the highest ranked player left. Williams isn't complaining about the high number of shock results, but she couldn't resist at jab at the Wimbledon ...
Rooney lauds 'fantastic' England World Cup: 'We believe'
England and Manchester United top career goalscorer Wayne Rooney praised his homeland's "fantastic" World Cup effort, cheering the buzz and belief their semi-final run in Russia has inspired. Rooney appeared at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new USD 200 million home stadium of DC United, where the 32-year-old striker makes his Major League Soccer debut Saturday against Vancouver. "They are doing fantastic. Hopefully we can get the win," Rooney said. "It's great. You see the atmosphere back home. There are billions watching it. Hopefully we can get through and go on to the final." Manager Gareth Southgate's England squad will face Croatia in a semi-final for a berth in Sunday's championship match against either France or Belgium. "For the players and Gareth, I wish them massive good luck. They are making us all proud," Rooney said. "Hopefully they can get that one step further and get to the final and bring the Cup home. "I've enjoyed all the buzz coming out of this. We're ...
Dipa Karmakar returns to India after her 'golden win'
Gymnast Dipa Karmakar on Tuesday returned to India after clinching gold in the vault event at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Challenge Cup in Ankara, Turkey.Karmakar expressed gratitude to her coach and the Sports Authority of India for their support, which motivated her to perform better.The 24-year-old, who had acquired the fourth spot in the vault event of the 2016 Rio Olympics, scored 14.150 to secure the top position in the tournament.The gymnast was out of action after her impressive performance in Rio Olympics because of an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury.Dipa's name has been included in the 10-member Indian gymnastics team for the Asian Games, which are slated to begin from August 18.Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Dipa on her achievement and tweeted, "India is proud of @DipaKarmakar! Congratulations to her on winning a well-deserved Gold in the vault event at the FIG World Challenge Cup in Mersin, Turkey. This win is a prime example of her ...
Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games silver medalist felicitated in Dharamshala
Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games silver medalist in 3000 metre race category, Seema was felicitated in Dharamshala after her home-coming.17-yr-old Seema won the silver medal in Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games with the timing of 9:55.87 seconds.The event was held on July 4 and July 5 in Bangkok.Seema, a resident of village locate in Chamba district, was an inmate of Sports Training Centre (STC), Sports Authority of India in Dharamshala."I am very happy. There were a lot of troubles, but my coach worked very hard for my training," she said.Seema earlier won a bronze medal in Youth Asian Games in May 2017.She also participated in under-16 Junior National Athletics Championship, which was held in Tamil Nadu in 2016 and secured a national record by completing 2500 meters race in merely 6.27.13 minutes.
2020 Olympics: Mirabai Chanu likely to compete in 49kg category
Commonwealth Games gold medalist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu might compete in the 49kg category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics instead of her regular 48kg class as the international federation recently decided to introduce new categories in weightlifting.The Executive Board of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) in its meeting on July 5 decided to introduce seven new weightlifting categories for both men and women in the Olympics and 10 new categories for both men and women in other international championships.The weight categories to be competed in the 2020 Olympics are 49kg, 55kg, 59kg, 64kg, 76kg, 87kg and +87kg for women while the men's weight classes will be 61kg, 67kg, 73kg, 81kg, 96kg, 109kg and +109kg.The EB's decision was ratified a day later by the Congress of the IWF.Talking about the same, Indian Weightlifting Federation said: "There will be no change for the upcoming Asian Games but categories will be affected from the forthcoming 14th Youth and 55th men's and 31st ...